Should You Trust Calorie Counts on Menus?

Introduction

Mcdonalds.com Comparing salads based on menu data is no easy task.

The soups and salads that diet-conscious consumers may seek out are not always as healthy as the menu says, according to a study published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association. One in five of the items researchers tested contained at least 100 calories more than was listed on the restaurant's menu and Web site.

Of course, calorie counts have always had their critics, and another recent study, tallying the results of a 20-year survey, indicates that people should focus on eating healthier foods, not necessarily consuming fewer calories.

Related

Given the confusing guidance on diet and the variation from the menu, how useful are calorie counts? Is there a better way to make people more aware of their eating habits — or should the government stop worrying about what people order at the drive-through?